Scammers target today's online consumers in a myriad of ways. The Internet has provided the unscrupulous with tons of stealthy techniques for separating consumers from their money and even from their identities.
Phishing
It is the act of sending an email or a pop-up message that appears, at first glance, to be from a trustworthy business or government source - but the goal is identity theft. The scammer is "phishing" for such sensitive information as passwords, usernames or credit card details. Be aware that many of these fraudulent emails look convincingly legitimate. Some businesses ask that consumers forward them phishing messages that use their name.
Smishing
It is a text message sent to cell phones that also wants to obtain private information from consumers. The scammers can pose as banks, lottery sweepstakes or, more recently, department stores with "gift cards" which consumers "have won." The goal's the same: The loss of someone's identity for the scammer's gain. So, technically, it is another form of phishing.
Vishing
It is yet another form of phishing. In this technique, the scammer uses the Internet to access landline telephones, using something called voice-over IP. The consumer receives a phone call notifying them of an urgent situation. The situation may be that the electricity is about to be shut off or that someone has tried to access a resident's bank account. The scammers instruct people to call a number. Upon doing so, the consumer is asked for sensitive information, such as account or Social Security number. Yet attempt at identify theft.
Cramming
It is the act of adding services to a phone bill that the consumer didn't ask for, or charging the person for calls he or she didn't make. It may show up as small fees "owed," which are difficult to recognize. To combat this scam, read monthly statements carefully, no matter how tedious this chore is.
Slamming
It refers to changes made to local, local toll or long distance phone service without the customer's authorization. In some cases, customers are tricked into changing their provider. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to this scam. Reportedly, callers tell a business they want to list them in a directory. They take some of their vital information over the phone then splice the recording of the conversation so that it sounds as if the business has agreed to the change in service.
Phishing
It is the act of sending an email or a pop-up message that appears, at first glance, to be from a trustworthy business or government source - but the goal is identity theft. The scammer is "phishing" for such sensitive information as passwords, usernames or credit card details. Be aware that many of these fraudulent emails look convincingly legitimate. Some businesses ask that consumers forward them phishing messages that use their name.
Smishing
It is a text message sent to cell phones that also wants to obtain private information from consumers. The scammers can pose as banks, lottery sweepstakes or, more recently, department stores with "gift cards" which consumers "have won." The goal's the same: The loss of someone's identity for the scammer's gain. So, technically, it is another form of phishing.
Vishing
It is yet another form of phishing. In this technique, the scammer uses the Internet to access landline telephones, using something called voice-over IP. The consumer receives a phone call notifying them of an urgent situation. The situation may be that the electricity is about to be shut off or that someone has tried to access a resident's bank account. The scammers instruct people to call a number. Upon doing so, the consumer is asked for sensitive information, such as account or Social Security number. Yet attempt at identify theft.
Cramming
It is the act of adding services to a phone bill that the consumer didn't ask for, or charging the person for calls he or she didn't make. It may show up as small fees "owed," which are difficult to recognize. To combat this scam, read monthly statements carefully, no matter how tedious this chore is.
Slamming
It refers to changes made to local, local toll or long distance phone service without the customer's authorization. In some cases, customers are tricked into changing their provider. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to this scam. Reportedly, callers tell a business they want to list them in a directory. They take some of their vital information over the phone then splice the recording of the conversation so that it sounds as if the business has agreed to the change in service.